Lakeshore Public Media CEO James Muhammad has accepted a new job as president of the University of Southern California Radio Group, which operates the Classical California radio network.
Muhammad will depart Lakeshore Public Media on Sept. 7. He has led the dual licensee in Merrillville, Ind., since 2013.
Lakeshore Public Media Board Chair Larry Brechner congratulated Muhammad about the job change while pointing towards the future of the organization.
“Lakeshore Public Media has made great strides across both Lakeshore Public Radio and Lakeshore PBS in recent years under James’ leadership,” Brechner said in a news release. “While he will truly be missed, we have an amazing team that is fully committed to the success of the organization and they will continue to put in the work each and every day to ensure the organization continues moving forward.”
During his tenure, Muhammad initiated Lakeshore’s three-part series of community conversations on race, justice and policing in 2020. He also boosted the radio station’s signal and secured funding for a new antenna for the television station.
Muhammad previously directed radio services for West Virginia Public Broadcasting and worked as PD of WCBU in Peoria, Ill. Earlier in his career, he was a classical music announcer and producer of arts content for Alabama Public Radio.
Muhammad also worked as a consultant for The Tavis Smiley Show, The Motley Fool Radio Show, Ask Me Another, TED Radio Hour, CPB, NPR and WNYC in New York.
“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland,” Muhammad said in the news release. “My focus has always been on creating meaningful impact and presenting the stories of Northwest Indiana in an exceptional way. I believe we achieved that.”